Dec 11 (ST) In the outskirts of Jaffna city, JVP party office is located on A9 Road in what was once a house. In front of its name board is a mega banner of the NPP—an electoral alliance led by the JVP whose party machinery and unions reached out to communities from all walks of life in the northern region, including fisherfolk and farmers. Though the party tried to establish itself in the region during the post-armed conflict period, it faced more..

Dec 11 (Island) SL Navy, renowned for its storied history as the nation’s maritime defence force, is celebrating its 74th Anniversary today (9). Under the able leadership of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, a series of programmes are being conducted across all Naval Commands, highlighting the Navy’s enduring traditions and religious practices as part of the anniversary festivities. In celebration of the Navy’s Anniversary, 2138 senior and junior sailors more..

Dec 11 (Island) A much-feared underworld figure named Arumahandi Janith Madushanka Silva alias Podi Lassi, charged with possession of narcotics, has been released on bail. Lawyers who appeared for him told reporters on Monday that he needed protection because the STF had threatened him with death. What they left unsaid was that their client had issued threats to no less a person than the Head of State. In 2020, while being detained in the Boosa Prison, Podi Lassi and two other more..

Dec 11 (TM) The JVP-led NPP Govt is facing its first credibility crisis with the academic credentials of two officials being questioned. With such incidents, the honeymoon period of the new Govt will gradually fade away next year, as the new crop of lawmakers rush through a steep learning curve on what it means to be in the driving seat of a nation. Yesterday, the Govt was forced to respond to growing criticism about alleged fake educational qualifications of Speaker of the Parliament more..

Dec 11 (DM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his newly elected parliamentary team are being hit by a barrage of criticism more reminiscent of the firing of multi-barrel weapons which operated during the time of the LTTE-led war which lasted nearly 30 years. Political opposition has rounded on govt for its inability to control major rice millers manipulating prices. In Parliament, charges of govt’s failure to control the interplay between supply and demand of rice, have raised a cacophony of sound. more..

Dec 11 (TM) Despite the lifting of the Govt’s 2021 ban on the import of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, imposed with the objective of making agricultural systems more financially and environmentally sustainable, the dynamics of farming practices and production outcomes in the paddy sector have been significantly impacted. The swiftness of the change to organic farming and banning agrochemicals have had more..

Dec 11 (DM) Those on all sides of the political divide, and even those who hold reservations, could expect certain good things to come from this govt. One area of promise is more than an illusory commitment to fight corruption. Acknowledging that would not make you a sycophant but surely reduce the chances of you being a brazen hypocrite. This is not the first govt to make combatting corruption a main election slogan. However, throughout the past, the duopoly of politics in this country more..

Dec 11 (TD) The NPP victory in the Nov 14 general elections — it secured 61% of the vote and 159 of 225 seats in parliament — is a remarkable performance in SL’s history of electoral politics. In Jaffna in the island’s Northern Province, NPP’s performance was particularly significant as it managed to secure the highest number of votes as a single party. Its ability to outperform regional parties in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Vanni and Amparai by winning three of the six seats in the city more..

Dec 11 (TM) Over the past two weeks, SL has faced a troubling decline in air quality, with multiple cities recording Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in the slightly unhealthy range of 100-150. Major urban areas such as Colombo, Jaffna, and Polonnaruwa have appeared to be the hardest hit, exposing residents to significant health risks. The deterioration is primarily attributed to transboundary air pollution, worsened by cyclonic weather more..

Dec 11 (CT) Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector has long grappled with a formidable challenge: wildlife encroachment. While the govt recently reaffirmed its commitment to resolving this issue as part of its agricultural policy, the measures proposed have sparked widespread debate. Farmers face mounting losses from wild animals damaging crops, but environmentalists warn of the potential ecological and legal ramifications of drastic actions. Finding a balanced solution is imperative. more..

Dec 11 (CT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to make his first international visit to India this week. This is expected to be followed by a visit to China in close order. The president, and the country itself, is walking a tightrope between these two Asian giants, one which is the world’s second largest economy and other its fifth largest. Both of them see the island of Sri Lanka as a strategic location for their geopolitical aims. In the case of India the stakes are particularly high more..

Dec 10 (DM) Despite advertisements by vehicle importers claiming that vehicle imports will soon be allowed, Cabinet spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa urged them not to mislead the public with such claims. Minister explained that while the govt is considering the import of vehicles with restrictions, no decision has been taken yet to permit the import of all types of vehicles. "Deputy Finance Minister, Anil Jayantha, addressed a media conference prior to the last Cabinet briefing and announced more..

Dec 10 (TM) While welcoming the fact that interventions were made by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake with regard to controlling rice prices, the National Agrarian Unity (NAU) organisation alleged that declaring controlled rice prices is unlikely to resolve the prevailing rice-related issues in the country. Noting that imported rice costs significantly less than locally produced rice, he expressed concerns that following the Govt’s decision to declare a controlled price for rice, more..

Dec 10 (EN) SL govt has given a thump up for the U.S. State Department for imposing sanctions on two of SL’s for president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s allies – ex-envoy to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga and former Sri Lankan Airline’s CEO Kapila Chandrasena. Both officials served under former leader Prez Rajapaksa’s two terms from 20o5-2015. MiG aircraft deal goes back to Rajapaksa’s first term when the country was more..

Dec 10 (AD) The former Director of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), ASP Neville Silva has been ordered to be remanded in custody until Dec 13 after he was produced before the Ratnapura Magistrate’s Court today . He was arrested by the CID on Monday. The CID had launched an investigation based on a complaint received claiming that ASP Silva had allegedly acted in a manner that was partial towards a complainant when investigating a case filed with the CCD in Aug 2023. more..

Dec 10 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal for the introduction of a new digital driving license to replace the existing driving license. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa pointed out that it has been almost 15 years since the introduction of the driving license as a smart card which is currently in use. Furthermore, Minister Jayatissa highlighted that the govt has identified the suitability of issuing a digital driving license, which is currently used in many countries of the world, more..

Dec 10 (DM) The govt has granted approval to introduce an appropriate system for the utilisation of the bungalow Visumpaya and existing Presidential mansions in various areas under the control of the Ministry of Public Admin, Provincial Councils and Local Govt. Cabinet Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said that there are 50 govt bungalows in the Colombo 7 and Colombo 5 areas under the authority of Ministry of Public Admin, more..

Dec 10 (DM) Measures are underway by the Environment Ministry and the Ministry of Technology and Research to launch a long-term, scientific and sustainable solution to protect crops from being destroyed by wild animals, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa announced. He said that this issue must be handled sensitively. He noted that, according to statistics, the population of certain animal species has increased significantly, leading to practical challenges for people and their crops. more..

Dec 10 (Island) Prominent Tamil Diaspora activist Suren Surendiran thanked the Amarapura Chapter for giving him, what he called, a historical opportunity, to attend and speak at an event celebrating the success of a religious leader who believes in equality, wholeheartedly. Surendiran said that the Tamil community was grateful for the unexpected honour. He was addressing the gathering on the occasion of the appointment of Ven. Dr. Madampagama Assaji Tissa Thera as the more..

Dec 10 (NW) Cabinet has approved a proposal by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to establish a Food Policy and Security Committee under the Presidential Secretariat, in line with the govt’s commitment to ensuring national food and nutrition security. The committee aims to provide every citizen with their minimum food requirements in sufficient quantity and quality at an affordable price. According to the new govt policy statement, Food Policy and Security Committee will focus on more..

Dec 10 (AD) Govt of SL has submitted a request to the OPEC Fund for International Development to secure funds to finance SL’s Comprehensive Reform Agenda, in line with the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) implemented with the assistance of the IMF. The institution has agreed to provide a loan of USD 50 million as a policy-based loan, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. Meanwhile, the IMF has also confirmed that the loan is in line with the parameters of the EFF program in Sri Lanka. more..

Dec 10 (AD) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, announced that liquor companies owe nearly Rs. 7 billion in taxes, and that the govt is taking measures to recover the outstanding dues. Dr. Jayatissa’s comments came in response to the statement issued by former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s office on Dec 9. The statement claimed that Wickremesinghe had not granted any liquor licenses outside prescribed procedure more..

Dec 10 (DM) The Indian Railways have agreed to provide 22 American Locomotive Company (ALCO) diesel engines to Sri Lanka Railways as a grant from the Indian Govt. Accordingly, India will supply 20 slightly used M10 locomotive engines to the SL Railways Department and two additional engines to be used for spare parts required for maintenance. An unsolicited proposal to provide locomotive maintenance services for a period of five years has been submitted by RITES, more..

Dec 10 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers has approved the extension of the moratorium on the execution of the Parate Law, which halts banks from acquiring creditors’ properties, until 31 March 2025. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the economic crisis faced by Sri Lanka in the past 04 years has severely affected the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and it has been reported that small and medium entrepreneurs have had to face difficulties in settling the loans obtained from banks. more..

Dec 10 (TM) Govt is planning to introduce an inclusive mechanism to strengthen national unity based on the people’s mandate it received at the last General Election, according to the Deputy Minister of National Integration Muneer Mulaffar. Mulaffar said that the Ministry of Justice and National Integration will take necessary steps in the coming months to promote national unity. He stressed that the Govt’s approach will include more..

Dec 10 (AD) SL has received the grant of 11.28 million meters of fabric required to be provided for schoolchildren as uniform materials for the year 2025, from China. The fabric grant was officially handed over to PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya by the Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong during an event held at the Colombo Port today. The 11.28 million meters of fabric, valued at around Rs. 5.2 billion, will be distributed among the students of 10,096 govt and govt-aided schools and 822 pirivens. more..

Dec 10 (DM) A total of 1,802 Sri Lankan workers are set to leave for Israel between December 2024 and January 2025, according to the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. It is reported that 4,531 Sri Lankans were employed in Israel's construction sector between April 13 and November 30, 2024, as part of a programme established in February 2024. However, the Bureau has uncovered fraudulent activities by individuals and groups exploiting job seekers. more..

Dec 10 (AD) Speaker of the Parliament Asoka Ranwala will soon make a responsible statement regarding the recent controversies related to his doctorate, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. Responding to a question raised by a journalist Dr. Jayatissa expressed that certain parties had even questioned about his own PhD as well. Furthermore, he mentioned that the govt will arrive at a decision regarding the matter after the Speaker reports on his qualifications to the relevant authorities. more..

Dec 10 (DM) Amid allegations over the academic qualifications of Speaker Asoka Ranwala, Parliament website has removed the title 'Dr.' from his profile. Previously listed as Dr. Asoka Ranwala, his name now appears as Asoka Ranwala MP, raising further doubts about the legitimacy of his alleged doctorate. It has been reported that the webpage was updated within the last 24 hours to remove the title 'Dr.' from Speaker's profile. more..

Dec 10 (DM) The Catholic Bishops Conference in Sri Lanka today clarified that Pastor Jerome Fernando was not a Bishop of the Catholic Church, and therefore the members of its church should not be deceived. “Jerome Fernando, who has no official apostolic succession in the Catholic church, is not a Catholic Bishop, hence we request our Catholic faithful not to be deceived by such information,” a statement signed by Bishops Conference Secretary General Rev J. D. Anthony Jayakody said. more..

Dec 10 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake will undertake an official visit to India on Dec 15 following an invitation from the Indian govt. This was confirmed by Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa during the Cabinet press conference. This will be Dissanayake’s inaugural foreign trip since assuming the presidency. Dr. Jayatissa further stated that the President will be in India until Dec 17, and will call on India’s President, PM and several other dignitaries. Head of the State will be accompanied by more..

Dec 10 (NW) New Democratic Front (NDF) has formally nominated Faiszer Musthapha to be appointed to Parliament through its National List, according to party sources. While the Election Commission has not yet confirmed the nomination, Musthapha said that he has been informed by the party of this decision. Musthapha, a senior lawyer and politician previously served as Minister of Sports and Minister of PCs & LG. more..